OHL This Week: November 9 to 12, 2023
Thursday’s here again, and so is another edition of OHL This Week! Dig in, and learn about everything going on across the League heading into the weekend.
67’s take over in Week 6 edition of OHL Power Rankings:
Throughout the season, the OHL Power Rankings will usher in a new week of action each Monday, with the top 16 teams in the Ontario Hockey League jostling for position headed into the 2024 OHL Playoffs. Read more
Firebirds’ Kressler named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week:
Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Braeden Kressler of the Flint Firebirds is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, recording two goals, five assists, and seven points over three contests. Read More
Generals’ Oster named OHL Goaltender of the Week:
Jacob Oster of the Oshawa Generals is the OHL Goaltender of the Week, playing to a 2-1 record with a 2.34 goals-against average, and .944 save percentage. Read more
Knights and Rangers included in Week 6 edition of CHL Top 10 Rankings:
The London Knights and Kitchener Rangers are included in the Week 6 edition of the CHL Top 10 Rankings. Read more
OHL Weekend Notebook:
The OHL Weekend Notebook recaps the weekend that was with news, information and interesting facts from both on and off the ice. Read more
OHL Plays of the Week presented by FPS Payment:
See tremendous offensive plays from Oshawa’s Beckett Sennecke, Kitchener’s Matthew Sop, Ottawa’s Luca Pinelli, Owen Sound’s Deni Goure and Sudbury’s Kocha Delic on this week’s edition of OHL Plays of the Week. Watch
Sensational Saves from the past week:
It’s a medley of marvellous OHL Saves of the Week, with contributions from North Bay’s Mike McIvor, Owen Sound’s Carter George, Ottawa’s Collin MacKenzie, Peterborough’s Liam Sztuska, Erie’s Ben Gaudreau, Windsor’s Joey Costanzo and London’s Michael Simpson. Watch
Brady and Bishop score first goals in OHL Milestone Moments:
This week’s instalment of OHL Milestone Moments presented by Syngenta Canada and Grain Farmers of Ontario features first career OHL goals from Ottawa 67’s blueliner Josh Brady and Saginaw Spirit defenceman Will Bishop. Watch
Canada Red and Canada White square-off in World U-17 Hockey Challenge Quarterfinals:
Seventeen OHL players are hitting the ice this week in Prince Edward Island for the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, competing for world supremacy in the annual event that features a total of six participating teams. Thursday’s Quarterfinal matchup has come down to Canada Red vs. Canada White for a chance to advance. Read more
Rangers Schmidt returns from Lightning organization
The Tampa Bay Lightning have reassigned defenseman Roman Schmidt from the Syracuse Crunch to the Kitchener Rangers. Selected by the Lightning in the third round, 96th overall, at the 2021 NHL Draft, Schmidt played in one game with the Crunch this season. Read more
Nolan Newton commits to Colts:
The Barrie Colts are proud to announce that Nolan Newton has committed to the Colts and has signed an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. Newton was selected by the Colts in the fifth round, 93rd overall in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. Read more
Wolves sign free agent blueliner Spencer Horgan:
The Sudbury Wolves are pleased to announce that 18-year-old defenceman Spencer Horgan of the Espanola Paper Kings has committed to the Sudbury Wolves Hockey Club and has signed an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. Read more
Knights sign former 15th round pick Finn Wilson:
The London Knights are proud to announce that the team has signed goaltender Finn Wilson. Wilson was the Knights 15th round selection, 287th overall in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection from the Niagara North Stars U16 AAA. Read more
OHL mourns the loss of John McDonald:
The Ontario Hockey League is mourning the loss of long-time scout John McDonald, who passed away on Sunday, October 29th at the age of 92. McDonald was a long-time head scout of the London Knights, but scouted in the Ontario Hockey League for 41 years, doing so as far back as 1979 when he had a hand in identifying present day London Knights GM Mark Hunter as the first overall pick of the Brantford Alexanders. The OHL extends thoughts and condolences to John’s family and friends. Read more
Frontenacs to raise Bernie Nicholls’ #16 to the rafters on November 18th:
The Kingston Frontenacs will be honouring one of their all-time greats at the Leon’s Centre on November 18th. The Fronts will raise Bernie Nicholls’ #16 to the rafters as the Haliburton, Ont. native who skated for the Kingston Canadians from 1979-81 will be forever enshrined in franchise history. Nicholls’ 1980-81 season that included 63 goals and 152 points in 65 games remains a franchise record to this day. Read more at kingstonfrontenacs.com.
OHL announces partnership with Carlsberg:
The Ontario Hockey League is proud to announce a new partnership with Carlsberg. For the 2023-24 season, Carlsberg Lite will become the first-ever official beer of OHL fans. In addition to being the official beer of OHL fans, this partnership will allow Carlsberg to be the presenting sponsor for the upcoming OHL Alumni Spotlight Series, as well as an official partner of the OHL Playoffs. Read more
OHL and Fat Bastard Burrito announce multi-year partnership:
The Ontario Hockey League and Fat Bastard Burrito announced a multi-year partnership naming Fat Bastard Burrito the official burrito partner of the OHL. The sponsorship will place a special focus on highlighting the league’s top nightly performers throughout the regular season and into the playoffs across the league’s social media platforms. Read more
COMMUNITY CORNER:
Fronts hold team-building event at CFB Kingston:
The Kingston Frontenacs held their third annual team-building event in collaboration with CFB Kingston this past week. Players engaged in a series of challenging tasks, thoughtfully designed by CFB Kingston, to assess their physical and mental capabilities. Watch at kingstonfrontenacs.com.
Greyhounds attend Bell Celebrity Skate in support of Rotary Youth Projects:
The Soo Greyhounds were in attendance at a record-breaking event, helping raise funds at the Bell Celebrity Skate in support of the Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie. Check out all of the photos from the event at soogreyhounds.com.
Spirit’s Haché raising funds for men’s health through Movember campaign:
Saginaw Spirit captain Braden Haché is all-in for Movember, raising funds for men’s health through his personal page over at movember.com.
Storm collecting winter wear at Friday home game:
The Guelph Storm will hold their seventh annual Oosterveld Heating and Air Conditioning Winter Wear Drive in support of Hope House on Friday when they play host to the Flint Firebirds. Winter wear is more than winter coats, fan donations of new winter gloves, warm socks or toques can also make a big difference during the upcoming months for those in need in the community. Learn more at guelphstorm.com
Remembrance Day across the League:
Join teams across the League for a solemn yet impactful game night as we remember the sacrifice and resilience of those who have served our country on Remembrance Day. Windsor and Peterborough are set to host on Thursday, Kitchener on Friday, as well as Erie, London, Niagara and Barrie on Saturday. Visit team websites for more information.
Rangers unveil annual Remembrance Day jersey:
A long-standing tradition, the Kitchener Rangers have announced their 18th annual Remembrance Day uniform, one paying tribute to the Korean Veterans Association of Canada. The uniforms are based on those worn by the 25th Canadian Infantry Brigade. Learn more about the special uniforms at kitchenerrangers.com.
Spitfires to host Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle game on Sunday:
The Windsor Spitfires are set to host their Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle themed game on Sunday. Get ready to channel your inner hero! Whether you’re a pizza-loving turtle or a fearless crime fighter, this night promises action-packed excitement for everyone.
ALUMNI NOTES:
Greyhounds retire Joe Thornton’s #19 at GFL Memorial Gardens:
The Soo Greyhounds raised Joe Thornton’s #19 banner to the heights of GFL Memorial Gardens on Saturday prior to puck drop against the Windsor Spitfires. Thornton played two seasons in Sault Ste. Marie from 1995-97 before being selected by the Boston Bruins as the first overall pick of the 1997 NHL Draft. Watch
Matthew Tkachuk reaches 500-point milestone:
Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk registered his 500th NHL point on Saturday night as the Panthers fell to the Chicago Blackhawks 5-2. Scoring one of Florida’s two goals, Tkachuk tallied his 500th points over 520 games played. Selected in the first round, sixth overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2016 NHL Draft, Tkachuk has recorded 194 goals and 307 assists throughout eight regular NHL seasons. A fourth round, 64th overall pick of the London Knights in the 2013 OHL Priority Selection, the former Memorial Cup champion spent one season in the Ontario Hockey League, recording 33 goals, 77 assists, and 107 points over 57 games played.
Konecny suits up in 500th NHL contest:
Former Ottawa 67’s and Sarnia Sting forward Travis Konecny played in his 500th career NHL contest on Saturday as his Philadelphia Flyers lost 5-0 to the Los Angeles Kings. The 26-year-old from Clachan, Ont. has amassed 150 goals, 194 assists and 344 points over his 501-game career, spent entirely in Philadelphia. The Flyers took Konecny 24th overall in the 2015 NHL Draft. He played three OHL seasons between Ottawa and Sarnia, being selected by the 67’s with the first overall pick of the 2013 OHL Priority Selection.
McTavish named NHL’s third star of the week:
Former OHL champion Mason McTavish is making his mark in the NHL. The Hamilton Bulldogs graduate was named the NHL’s third star of the week for his impressive display with the Anaheim Ducks, recording five points (3-2–5) in three games last week. McTavish is a centrepiece of the young Ducks, who selected him third overall in the 2021 NHL Draft. The 20-year-old has put up 13 points (6-7–13) in 12 games for Anaheim this season after a 43-point rookie campaign in 2022-23. McTavish played two seasons in the OHL between Peterborough and Hamilton, and won gold with Canada at the 2022 World Juniors.
Joe Vrbetic named ECHL Goaltender of the Week:
Former North Bay Battalion netminder Joe Vrbetic of the Trois-Rivières Lions has been named the ECHL Goaltender of the Week. Vrbetic went 2-0-0 with a 1.50 goals-against average and a save percentage of .945 in two appearances last week. Under contract to Laval of the American Hockey League, Vrbetic is 5-1-0 in six appearances with the Lions this season, leading the ECHL in wins, with a 3.11 goals-against average and a save percentage of .897. Vrbetic appeared in 88 career games with North Bay, going 43-35-7 with seven shutouts, a 3.52 goals-against average and a save percentage of .893. Read more
U SPORTS Report:
Throughout the year the U SPORTS Report will keep tabs on former OHL names doing great things in the OUA, AUS and Canada West ranks on the road to the 2024 U SPORTS University Cup to be held from March 14-17 in Toronto, Ont. Read more
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
– All games streaming on OHL Live
– Radio and TV broadcast information
Thursday, November 9th
Kingston at Barrie – 7:00pm
Sault Ste. Marie at North Bay – 7:00pm
Sudbury at Niagara – 7:00pm
Sarnia at Peterborough – 7:05pm
London at Windsor – 7:05pm
Friday, November 10th
Niagara at Brantford – 7:00pm
Sarnia at Kingston – 7:00pm
Oshawa at Ottawa – 7:00pm
Barrie at Mississauga – 7:00pm
Sudbury at Erie – 7:00pm
Peterborough at Kitchener – 7:00pm
Owen Sound at London – 7:00pm
Flint at Guelph – 7:30pm
Saturday, November 11th
Sudbury at Brantford – 4:00pm
Sault Ste. Marie at Niagara – 7:00pm
Flint at Erie – 7:00pm
Mississauga at Owen Sound – 7:00pm
Guelph at London – 7:00pm
Ottawa at Oshawa – 7:05pm
Windsor at Saginaw – 7:05pm
North Bay at Barrie – 7:30pm
Sunday, November 12th
Sarnia at Ottawa – 2:00pm
Sault Ste. Marie at Kitchener – 2:00pm
Brantford at Peterborough – 4:05pm
Saginaw at Windsor – 4:05pm
Kingston at Oshawa – 6:05pm
